New NFL fine schedule is going to a point system that could lead to suspensions but also refunds

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to a one-year experimental change to the fine schedule meant to perhaps curb player behavior and discipline that is most likely to result in injuries.

And the changes include one seemingly odd new twist: Refunds.

Club owners meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday were briefed and accepted the changes that will place greater emphasis on five player health and safety violations: NFL PLAYER REVEALS SUSPENSION FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUG HAPPENED BECAUSE HE WAS ADDRESSING INFERTILITY Like in the past, the league is prepared to take past behavior into account.

That's why players who commit three offenses in any of the highlighted categories will be suspended for one game.

But, here comes the newfangled approach: Players who commit just one violation will receive a 50 percent refund of their fine at the end of the season.

The one violation limit applies to the five categories together.

So a player fined for a blindside block cannot get a refund if he's also been fined once for a horse collar tackle.

That amounts to two fines.

NFL PLAYERS MAY COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN FOR GRASS FIELDS IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS BUT IT WOULD COME AT A COST The fine refunds apply to other categories of fouls as well and even to a larger degree.

Players fined once in any other player safety category, such as roughing the passer, will get 100 percent of their fine money back at season's end if they don’t get fined again for that foul during the season.

And, again, a second foul in another player safety category will mean the player gets none of his money back.

This is expected to affect hundreds of players during the 2026 season as it has in previous seasons.

This new system resembles the carrot and stick approach to fines .

Players who avoid fines or stop after only one offense are rewarded with keeping or getting money back.